Ben Pettinari and Djordje Uskokovic qualified in the doubles competition for the ITA All-American Sunday because of a clause in the tournament called Lucky Losers. Those two words hardly describe the way these members of Illinos State mens tennis team has performed as of late, however.
The Redbird tandem swept through the first three rounds of their bracket, and after a victory over Bastian Faist and Sebstian Falk of Arkansas-Little Rock, Pettinari and Uskokovic were set to play Floridas Trey Johnson and Vlad Obradovic, but found out early Sunday afternoon that they would not have to play the match to advance.
In the ITA All-American qualifying rounds two of the 16 remaining teams are selected at random as Lucky Losers and continue in the ITA All-American tournament without having to win in the fourth round.
Entering the ITA All-American Pettinari and Uskokovic are 4-1 in the fall season, and expect to continue to roll as they enter the ITA All-American championships.
Although the circumstances may be confusing, Redbird coach Greg Kennett is absolutely sure his doubles pair deserves to advance.
Right now Uskokovic and Pettinari believe that they can beat anybody, Kennett said. They gained a lot of confidence last year when they were named All-Conference and that has really carried them this year.
Uskokovic and Pettinaris opponents for the first round of the ITA All-American have yet to be determined. The tournament will resume Tuesday at the Champions Club in Chattanooga, Tenn.
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